Over 1,000 people in hospitals today have Covid, the highest figure in two months.
With a double bank holiday looming, Professor of Immunology, Christine Loscher, is advising caution this St Patrick's weekend:
"I think that what people need to be very cautious of going into this weekend is, that where they are in a crowded setting, whether it's indoor or outdoor, and when they are in any indoor setting that they remain wearing their masks in order to minimise the risk of COVID spread this weekend."
There are currently 1,042 people with the virus and 41 in ICUs.
Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has described the figures as "concerning" and says the facemask mandate should be reviewed ahead of St Patrick's Day:
"Recognising that the level of illness and sickness for the general population from this variant is not as high, there are those who are immunosuppressed and those who are elderly and those who are in nursing homes, those who are vulnerable that need to be supported and I just think that it would make sense that if we looked and reviewed the whole mask wearing argument and suggestion from government would be stronger than it is at the moment."
